Hi All!! I'm considering buying a Survivor 35 Water Maker from a surplus store on eBay from "equipmentpartssales" Has anyone ever bought one, and what was your experience like? Did you actually need to get a new membrane, etc?

Here are the details:

1 KATADYN PUR 35 DESALINATOR WATERMAKER REVERSE OSMOSIS
THIS UNIT IS HAS NEVER BEEN USED, BUT HAS BEEN IN STORAGE FOR A FEW YEARS WITHOUT ITS YEARLY BIOCIDE TREATMENT. ACCORDING TO KATADYN, IT WILL NEED A NEW MEMBRANE. THE HOSES ARE ALL IN PERFECT CONDITION.
A NEW MEMBRANE CAN BE PURCHASED FROM KATADYNE. COST WILL BE NEAR $300.00. THEY EASY TO INSTALL.
THIS IS A HAND-POWERED PUMP DESALINATOR WHICH USES REVERSE OSMOSIS TO REMOVE SALT FROM WATER.
MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE WITH A BOAT.
COMES WITH 1 LAMINATED INSTRUCTION CARD.
MAKES APPROXIMATELY 1.2 GALLONS OF DRINKABLE WATER PER HOUR.
WEIGHS ONLY 7 POUNDS!
TREAT WITH BIOCIDE FOR PRESERVATION ,THE INSTRUCTION WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO INSTALL AND CLEAN THE BIOCIDE OUT
BIOCIDE IS USED TO STOP BACTERIAL GROWTH AND SHOULD BE REPLACED EACH YEAR
MANUFACTURERS SUGGEST RETAIL PRICE IS $1500
A MUST HAVE FOR SEA GOING BOATS
ITEM IS NEW.

The answer to the "buy a new membrane" or not is 'maybe'. If the unit was stored dry ... then yes ... you will need a new membrane. These 'poly-something' rolled sheets are susceptible to cracking if exposed to air for a while. If the unit was stored with water but not biocide in it ... you may be able to clean the unit of the biofilm and disinfect the membrane.

The best way to check is have them mix up a batch of saltwater (with marine aquarium salt) and operate the unit for a gallons worth. Then have them take a TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter and take a reading. You can then judge if the unit is still operating before you buy it.

One note though, if I was going to stake my survival on a used RO device, I would want to spend the extra $300 and be assured of a new unit and then service it myself according the manufacturer's suggestions. RO membranes can be temperamental things and its performance and ease of maintenance depends on the material used to make it.

Thanks Stubby! I'm actually looking at using this for a sea-side hiking trip as a trial run, so no survival at stake yet

Thanks for your input. It sounds like the unit has just been stored in its' case in life rafts with the Navy until this point. So, I'm not sure if that means that it has been dry stored or not. It would seem to me that if they were removed from the rafts recently, they should still work, but I'm no expert.

When they are stored, what solution would you recommend? Would plain old white vinegar do?

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